Today we are continuing our sermon series going through the Gospel of Matthew.

What being salt and light looks like:
3 Observations about salt and light:
1. Salt and light are noticeable
John 17:14-15, Matt. 28:19-20, John 8:12
2. Salt and light are helpful
John 10:10, John 3:16-17, Matt. 28:20, Ps. 119:105
3. Salt and light need to be used well
1 Pet. 3:15, Col. 4:6, 2 Tim. 2:24-26, 4:2

Practical Steps to take to be salt and light:
1. Allow yourself to be transformed by God
Matt. 5:16, 13, Heb. 6:1, John 15:8, Matt. 7:19, Luke 3:8, Gal. 5:22-23
2. Be prayerfully led by the Holy Spirit
Phil. 4:4-9, Rom. 8:14, Gal. 5:18, Ps. 143:10
3. Be conversational with people
Matt. 5:15-16, Luke 21:14-15, Rom. 12:9, 1 Tim. 1:5
4. Point people to God’s Word
Heb. 4:12, Is. 55:11, Eph. 4:32
5. Be willing to pray for someone in the moment
1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 6:18, James 5:13, Heb. 4:16

Getting Started
Take some time to read over Matthew 5:13-16 and pray.

Have you ever read or heard about this story before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?

As you think about what salt and light does, and how that applies to Christians being the salt and light of the world, what comes to mind?

Where have you heard Christians use the phrase salt and light before?

What bad examples have you witnessed (or done yourself) of Christians trying to be salt and light?

What mistakes were made?If you’re going through these questions in a small group, share about any times in your life (good or bad examples) where you’ve tried to be salt and light to people around you?


Diving In
A good way to make us ineffective at being the salt and light of the world is to be hypocritical in our faith. Why do you think it is so imperative, if we are going to be salt and light, that we are taking our faith seriously, allowing God to transform us, and bearing fruit?

How can you allow God to transform you and bear fruit better?How would your life change if you allowed God to transform you and bear better fruit?
How would it affect your witness if you allowed God to transform you and bear better fruit?

In today’s society, it is getting increasingly difficult to have real life, face-to-face conversations with people.

How do you think it would help your witness to have more of these types of conversations?
How comfortable are you with having real life, face-to-face conversations with people? Why?
Do you have any hobbies or interests that you could leverage to have more real life, face-to-face conversations with people?
How can you practice having real life, face-to-face conversations with people?

Many people, regardless of their faith background, are happy to be prayed for in the moment.
Have you ever prayed for someone in the moment?
How did it go? What effect did it have on your relationship with that person?
What hesitations do you have about praying for someone in the moment? Why?
If you were open to praying for someone (even a stranger) in the moment, how do you think it would affect your faith? Why?
If you’ve never prayed for someone in the moment, take some time in prayer right now, and ask that God would lead you, and give you the opportunity to do so sometime in the next week.
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS: Pray for the Ewing family; Jason unexpectedly passed away Tuesday evening. Pray for Jerry Jamrozy, who has bone cancer.

MISSIONARIES: This month pray for the Mishkins.


FAMILY OF THE WEEK: Each week we’ll pray for a different family in our church. This week pray for the Souls

HILLSIDE HAPPENINGS: Pray that the church would continue to stay unified under Christ. Pray for our livestream and for the people joining us there. Pray for Casa Del Alfarero, the Spanish-speaking Missionary Church 5 minutes from our building.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Pray for the war in Israel.Pray for the war in Ukraine.

Attendance
In-person on 2/4: 54
Online views (through 2/7):23

Giving
Online (1/29/24-2/4/24): $80 for general
In-Person on 2/4/24: $1035 for general, $170 for missions
Total general needed weekly to meet budget: $1623

Ladies, mark your calendars for the regional denominational retreat! This year, it is happening on Saturday, March 2nd, at St. Mark Missionary Church. Please see Tammi for more details.

This is a great time to join a small group! Joining a small group is a great way to grow in your faith. There is a small group that meets on Sunday mornings, at 9:30am, and men’s and women’s groups that meet every other Tuesday evening. For more information, please see Pastor Josh.

The foster closet is running a book drive and would love to have your help! For more information, see the insert in the bulletin, or see April Rollf.

If you do not receive our weekly emails, announcements, and prayer requests, please join our email list! You can do so by going to hmcworship.com/im-new

TECH: Our worship team is looking for someone who would like to run sound and/or slides. Please see Pastor Josh.

WORSHIP TEAM: Would you like to help out on the worship team? Please see Carolyn Dodd for details.

PRAYER GUIDE: Will you be in prayer for Hillside? Prayer guides are available at the welcome counter. Also, if you would like to be a prayer advocate, please see Pastor Josh.

MAINTENANCE TEAM: Would you like to help out on the maintenance team? We need help inside and outside the building. Please see Jeff Soule for details.